Multiplesources are reporting that Joe Paterno is in “serious” condition and is near death. Per sources, Paterno’s close family and friends have been summoned to a State College hospital in which Paterno has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer. Reports this afternoon state that Paterno was taken off of a respirator this morning and that’s when family and friends were contacted.

Originally thought to be a treatable form of lung cancer, Paterno’s condition deteriorated to which he was confined to a wheelchair and wearing a wig due to chemotherapy treatments. Paterno was interviewed last week by The Washington Post with the majority of the questions surrounding the child rape allegations against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Paterno was relieved of his head coaching duties on November 9, 2011 after Sandusky was charged on November 5th.

Paterno, 85, was Penn State’s head football coach for 46 years in which he compiled a record of 406-136-3 and he won two national championships (1982, 1986). He holds the record for most Division 1 wins (409) and most bowl wins (24). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.